Hole opens on O'Donnell St. span Pot luck

A pothole on an O'Donnell Street viaduct broke through this morning, closing traffic along the span and sending debris onto train tracks below.

The collapse caused no injuries or accidents, police said.

City public works engineers blamed the harsh winter for the 2-foot-wide hole on the bridge that crosses Haven Street near Interstate 95 in East Baltimore. The bridge was slated for extensive repairs this year, city inspectors at the scene said.

"This is the worst bridge in the city," said Richard Chen, chief bridge engineer for the city's Department of Public Works.

Mr. Chen said the eastbound lane of the bridge will be closed indefinitely. He estimated that repairs could take up to two years.